West Ham United manager David Moyes has admitted that the penalty awarded to his side during this afternoon's 3-0 win over Stoke City was "soft", but has rejected suggestions that Manuel Lanzini dived to win the spot kick.
The Hammers took the lead from the spot after 19 minutes of their visit to the bet365 Stadium, with Mark Noble converting after Lanzini had gone down under the sliding challenge of Erik Pieters.
Replays suggested that referee Graham Scott was wrong to award the spot kick, while Stoke boss Mark Hughes accused the Argentine of diving, but Moyes believes that the midfielder was simply tired at the end of his run.
"I would call it soft. Manu has ran 70 yards and probably ran his race at the end of it, I think the defender going to ground means the referee has a choice to make," the Scot told reporters.
"I don't think there's any intent regarding a dive. I think he's riding the tackle more than anything.
"If you take the whole action into consideration, I definitely don't see it being a dive. I see it being tiredness at the end of it but I don't see a dive."
Lanzini could face a two-match ban if he is retrospectively found guilty of simulation by a three-man panel.
Barney Corkhill
